Suspect in birthday shooting arrested

FORT PIERCE — Authorities have arrested the suspect in the birthday party shooting from Aug. 24 in Indian River County.

The suspect in the birthday party shooting of three teens, Jarvis Gaskin, has been arrested, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. He was taken into custody at approximately 11:10 a.m. in St. Lucie County.

Indian River County Sheriff’s Office and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office detectives and the U.S. Marshals made the arrest.

The arrest took place at an apartment in the 5000 block of LaSalle Street in the unincorporated area of Ft. Pierce, according to authorities.

Members of the multi-agency fugitive task force received a tip and used other investigative techniques to locate Gaskin.

When they arrived at the apartment, the occupants refused to exit when ordered to do so. Force was used to enter the apartment and three occupants including Gaskin were located.

Gaskin was taken into custody, charges against the other occupants are undetermined at this time and they were not arrested.

Gaskin has been transported to the Indian River County Jail where he faces charges related to the shooting.


Aug. 25 – INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — During a birthday party Saturday night, three people were shot, including the 17-year-old celebrating his birthday at his mother’s home in 900 block of 34th Ave. SW, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.

The shooting happened at approximately 11:20 p.m. when the celebrant’s mother became concerned when a person who was not invited to the party displayed a firearm while dancing with other guests, according to authorities.

The woman decided to end the party at that point and guests began to leave.

Several others who were with the person displaying the handgun became upset that the party was ending, according to the Sheriff’s Office. As the non-invited subjects were leaving, three to four shots were heard from the area of the front yard.

Three teenage males were shot – ages 17, 18, and 19 – including the one celebrating his 17th birthday. All three were taken to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Ft. Pierce, according to authorities. The injuries to the two adults were listed as non-life threatening.

The 17-year-old was listed as stable this morning after surgery. The party was to celebrate the birthday of the 17-year-old and it was his mother who was the homeowner and host.

Detectives have identified several suspects, all believed to be from St. Lucie County, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Indian River County investigators are working with detectives from the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

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